2. INTEREST GROUPS AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE

3. Interest Groups *A group of people who share common goals and organize to influence government. *Usually concerned with only a few issues or specific problems. *Interest groups allow citizens to communicate their “wants” or policy goals to government officials.

4. Types of Interest Groups ACLU

5. Business Related Interest Groups National Association of Manufacturers U. S. Chamber of Commerce Business Roundtable

6. Labor Related Interest Groups AFL-CIO- International Brotherhood of Teamsters United Auto Workers United Mine Workers

7. Agricultural Interest Groups American Farm Bureau Federation- National Farmers Union-

8. Professional Associations American Bar Association American Medical Association National Education Association

9. Environmental Interest Groups Sierra Club National Wildlife Federation

10. Lobbyists Interest Groups hire people to represent their interests with Congress Their effort to influence officials is called lobbying.

11. Lobbying Attempts by organizations or individuals to influence the passage, defeat, or content of legislation and the administrative decisions of government. -Occurs at all levels in all branches of government -Lobbyists are usually former members of Congress, former bureaucrats, experts in their field

12. Methods of Lobbying 1. Personal contact with key legislators 2. Provide expertise to legislators or other government officials 3. Offer expert testimony before Congressional committees for or against proposed legislation

13. Methods continued: 4. Assist legislators or bureaucrats in drafting legislation 5. Follow up with executive and judicial departments on execution and enforcement of policy

14. Regulation of Lobbyists 1. Must register with the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate 2. Must give quarterly reports on activities which are published in Congressional Quarterly

15. How do Interest Groups Affect Campaigns?

16. Campaigns Before the 1970s, candidates could raise and spend money with few restrictions 1974 - the first comprehensive campaign finance act was passed, created the Federal Election Commission (FEC)

17. Federal Election Commission (FEC) Administers federal election laws Keeps records of contributions and expenditures (disclosure) Keeps records for all federal candidates, political parties, and PACs Responsible for election oversight

18. What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)? A political committee organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates Most interest groups form PACs and contribute large sums of money to ALL candidates

19. How much can you contribute? Individuals: To candidates - $2,100 in primary $2,100 in general election (total $40,000 per two year cycle) “In-kind” gifts – up to $2,100 $61,400 to PACs & National Parties (2yr) $10,000 to state parties $101,400 total per 2 year cycle

20. Who Else Can Contribute? 1. Multi-candidate committee/PAC ( those with 50+ contributors, registered 6+ months, contribute to 5+ federal candidates) $5,000 to any candidate/committee $15,000 to national party committee $5,000 to any PAC/ No limit on total 2.Political Action Committees $2,100 to any candidate/committee $26,700 to national party committee $5,000 to any other PAC/ No limit on total

21. Soft Money Money given to political parties for party building activities Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act 2002 (BCRA) It has been outlawed because: 1. led to out of control spending 2. little oversight and regulation 3. disproportionate spending among parties

22. 527 GROUPS A tax exempt organization created to influence the nomination, election, appointment or defeat of candidates for public office Not regulated by the FEC and not subject to the same contribution limits as PACs

23. 527s - Continued Can accept contributions in any amount from any source Many are run by special interest groups to raise and use money how they wish A new form of “soft money”? Exp.: Swift Boat Veterans for Truth Move On.org

24. Illegal Contributions: Ø No cash over $100 Ø Foreign nationals cannot contribute Ø Direct funds cannot be given by labor unions or corporations Ø Government contractors cannot contribute

25. TOP TEN ALL-TIME DONOR PROFILES RankOrganization NameTotalContributions 1989- 2006 1American Fedn of State, County & Municipal Employees $37,075,652 2AT&T Inc.$35,937,756Split 3National Association of Realtors$28,211,023Split 4Ass’n of Trial Lawyers of America$25,686,556 5National Education Association$25,417,891 6Int’l Brotherhood of Electrical Workers$24,160,419 7Service Employees International Union$23,522,473 8Laborers Union$23,255,307 9Communications Workers of America$23,218,569 10Teamsters Union$23,209,533